tiny happy

Kia ora, hello! How are you doing through these busy December days? I've been trying to wrap things up – finishing up various bits of work and other tasks, packing to visit family over the summer break, and literally wrapping things too, of course, in the form of Christmas gifts.

I thought I'd share a few things I've been making along the way. I had grand plans (like I do every year) but only made a few things in the end. 

A fun project was knitting up some mushroom ornaments, inspired by my friend Lizzie who sent me the link to the pattern for the wee 'charming mushroom ornament (the one with the hanging loop, pictured above). You can find it here. The other two mushrooms are little soft sculptures really, but I might add a hanging loop to those, too. The pattern is by Claire Garland and can be found here.

I made a big batch of fruit mince (using a Nigella Lawson recipe similar to this, but with cider and brandy added) and then baked a batch of fruit mince pies every few days for visitors, guests and to have with our afternoon coffee! I think I will give mince pies a rest until next year now. But I do love them!

Other little gifts made this season include:

• fabric pouches sewn from favourite leftover cottons and linens (I also used leather scraps to make zipper-pulls for each)
• little drawstring bags, personalised with children's initials (find my tutorial for those here)
• a set of pillowcases (but I forgot to take a photo before wrapping them up – oops!) made from my own tutorial found here
• tote bags

I haven't made these, but you might like the following projects if you're gift making:

• natural perfume, two ways
• jars of fresh lemon curd
• peace dove ornaments
• Jenny's fruit cake (this would make a lovely holiday gift if you pressed almonds into the top and wrapped the finished cake in brown paper)
• calming eye pillows
• lemon + honey or rose lip balm
• seashell mitts (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere!) or the super-simple Keira's fingerless mitts

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Whether you're in a making mood or not, I wish you a very happy festive season if you're celebrating it! I'm heading to the South Island for a short while to catch up with family and friends. Thank you so much for reading my blog this year – it's lovely to have your company in this space!

Lots of love, and see you in the new year,

Melissa